Writing advice, publication opportunities, and thoughts on books, language, and life from Donna Volkenannt, winner of the Erma Bombeck Humor Award. Donna believes great stories begin in a writer's imagination and touch a reader's heart.

Monday, November 5, 2012

November: A Time to Remember and Hats off with Hope in our Hearts

Last week, on November 2--the Feast of All Souls--I took time to pray for the souls of my loved ones who have departed this earth.

I also remembered to say a prayer for a good writing friend who passed away this summer.

Bea Siros was a cherised member of Coffee and Critique writers' group who left us suddenly and much too young. Although Bea is gone, her spirit remains with us.

Bea was known for her cheery smile and for her collection of hats--ball caps, feathered hats, trendy berets, demure chapeaus, you name it--Bea had one in her wardrobe. And often her signature bumblee pin could be seen on them.

During Bea's visitation service, several members of our writing group wore hats in her honor. I shopped around and found a tan hat with a dark brown brim and a black ribbon to wear in honor of Bea. I keep the hat on my coat rack by the door, and when I see it I remember her sweet smile.

This morning I used that hat to select the winner of the copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope & Healing for Your Breast Cancer Journey. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment.

The anthology includes two essays by Alice Muschany, a breast cancer survivor and member of Coffee and Critique. One of Alice's essays is titled "Hats Off to Betty."

When I e-mailed Alice to ask her if she wanted to pick the name of the winner or if I should throw the names into a hat--she asked me to use the name-in-the-hat option.

So, I wrote down on sheets of paper the names of everyone who left a comment on the Chicken Soup giveaway post in October during breast-cancer awareness month. I folded the papers and threw them into what I call Bea's memorial hat.

I reached into the hat and pulled out one sheet then took a photo (on the left) of the hat, the book, and the name of the winner.

In case you can't read it, the name selected was -- Marcia G.

Congratulations, Marcia. I will get the book to you. And thank you Alice for your generosity and for sharing your stories of hope and healing.

Finally, if you're the praying kind, take time to remember the souls of your loved ones or those who have left us. Here's a prayer I use:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Donna, clever idea to use Bea's hat to chose the winner of "Chicken Soup Hope & Healing for Your Breast Cancer Journey which includes my story, "Hats Off to Betty." Bea was quite a character. Congratulations to Marcia, my C&C buddy. Hope you enjoy the heartwarming stories from so many brave women plus the input from Harvard doctors. Donna, thanks for including the contest on your blog. And last but not least, thanks to all for their comments. Good day!

Donna,I didn't know Bea had passed away this summer until I just read it here---and I started to cry---not because Bea is gone, although her absence is surely felt by many, but because I truly enjoyed knowing Bea and the unique person she was and it was quite a shock to discover I was so busy with my own life that I didn't know she had passed. Yours seems a fitting tribute to a wonderful person. Hat's off to you---and also to Bea.

Donna,I didn't know Bea had passed away this summer until I just read it here---and I started to cry---not because Bea is gone, although her absence is surely felt by many, but because I truly enjoyed knowing Bea and the unique person she was and it was quite a shock to discover I was so busy with my own life that I didn't know she had passed. Yours seems a fitting tribute to a wonderful person. Hat's off to you---and also to Bea.

"Time Will Tell" in Mysteries of the Ozarks, Vol V, from Ozark Writers Inc.

Some Favorite Quotes

"Grace changes us and change is painful."Flannery O'Connor***"Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand."Saint Augustine**"The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why."Mark Twain**"Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once and a while you could miss it."Ferris Bueller

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